[saddleman]

I installed Evan Guy's www.lttrunklatch.com kits on both of my LT's this weekend. The pictures with the instructions show how to install it while the top case is still on the bike. My pictures are with the top case removed & upside down on a bench. The only thing I did different from the instructions was add a little blue Loktite to the allen head screws.

 

[Knife]

Here's the correct link www.lttrunklatch.com .

 

[dglenn1]

Just ordered my full kit Friday. My latch finally broke after 51K miles. I open and close my trunk at least 10 times per week. I always make sure to push down on the trunk lid and stress the latch as little as possible. It's just not going to hold up in the OEM condition.

I highly recommend installing the helper kit in advance of having it break. Would be a lot less hassle.

I'll let you know how the full install goes when I get the kit.

 

[saddleman]

Here's the correct link www.lttrunklatch.com .

Thanks, John

 

[keyhole]

I like it. How long did it take for the install?

 

[saddleman]

I like it. How long did it take for the install?

The first time I installed the kit was at one of our forum members home in Maine. It took me about one hour from the time I started too take the top case off the bike until it was back on the bike. Now it takes me about a half hour or less. I have not done the install on the 2005 & newer bikes with the auto lock system yet. I assume they will take a little bit longer.

 

[clayton]

I just don't understand why so many people seem to break there trunk latches? My bike is a 2003 with 106k miles, and I use the trunk more than any of the other side cases. I have never had a problem with mine. I think one has to not overload the trunk making it hard to close the lid then forcing the latch to close or maybe closing the latch on it's edge rather than grasping firmly in the middle then close latch. my two cents worth, seem to be working so far.

 

[dglenn1]

I just don't understand why so many people seem to break there trunk latches? My bike is a 2003 with 106k miles, and I use the trunk more than any of the other side cases. I have never had a problem with mine. I think one has to not overload the trunk making it hard to close the lid then forcing the latch to close or maybe closing the latch on it's edge rather than grasping firmly in the middle then close latch. my two cents worth, seem to be working so far.

Yep. I felt exactly the same way and had the same questions, until last Thursday anyway.

 

[K100Dennis]

Yep, the failure can be prevented by taking some metal off the 2 cams that engage the trunk lid pins, but then you wont have a dust-tight seal any more. I alway grease that part to reduce the friction and press down on the lid when opening and closing, but I'm presently waiting for my "fix it before it breaks" kit to arrive beacause i know the failure will occur eventually. Spend the money, fix the problem, forget about it.

 

[bikerj]

I've read numerous mentions of this "my fix before it breaks", but didn't know the meaning. Visited the website John and Dave mentioned, where I found a good concise explanation with illustrations of the problem. Don't know if my recently purchase LT has this mod, but it sounds like reasonable insurance for a very costly failure.

The website mentioned the trunk doesn't have to be removed. Has anyone been able to install this mod w/o removing the trunk, and was it as "painless" as the website leads you to believe?

Also, the website claims one has to replace the whole latch assembly if there is a failure. Is this correct, or could the mod be installed w/ what's left of the old latch and still function?

 

[saddleman]

I've read numerous mentions of this "my fix before it breaks", but didn't know the meaning. Visited the website John and Dave mentioned, where I found a good concise explanation with illustrations of the problem. Don't know if my recently purchase LT has this mod, but it sounds like reasonable insurance for a very costly failure.

The website mentioned the trunk doesn't have to be removed. Has anyone been able to install this mod w/o removing the trunk, and was it as "painless" as the website leads you to believe?

Also, the website claims one has to replace the whole latch assembly if there is a failure. Is this correct, or could the mod be installed w/ what's left of the old latch and still function?

With the latch open if the mod has been done you will see the three allen head screws like the ones in picture # nine. My eyesight is no where near good enough to install it with the top case on.

 

[dglenn1]

I'll let you know how the full install goes when I get the kit.

I just got the latch kit installed this past weekend and I really like it. I followed the directions with no problems. Thought I lost some C-clips a few times, but they magically reappeared! Don't count on the trunk to "catch" them when removing them. There are seams with gaps in the bottom of the trunk that are surprisingly easy to hit!

Like the quality, ease of assembly and the new sure feel of the latching mechanism.

Good luck!

 

[johnbaker15]

Dan,
My kit is in the mail hope to get it early next week.

Did you take the trunk off or try to do it in place? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[dglenn1]

Dan,
My kit is in the mail hope to get it early next week.

Did you take the trunk off or try to do it in place? Inquiring minds want to know.

I did the latch replacement. By kit do you mean the preventative kit?

Either way I would think it would be much harder to do with the trunk off the bike. The trunk is very awkward to deal with since the lid cannot be detached easily. You are better off leaving it on the bike and just supporting the lid open. I used the recommendations in the new latch kit and used the shipping box to support the lid on the rear seat. Didn't have any issues.

If you are installing a new latch: Once you drill out the 7 rivets holding the latch to the trunk you move over to the bench anyway and most of the work happens there.

If you are installing the preventative kit, you aren't given the hardware to replace the rivets so I don't see any advantage to moving the entire trunk to the bench or wherever. You just increase the chances of scratching it or otherwise damaging it. Access doesn't get any better. The bike holds the trunk nice and steady. Get a standard chair and you should be a fine working height to do the work.

 

[johnbaker15]

I did the latch replacement. By kit do you mean the preventative kit?

.

Dan,
I was thinking about the fix it before it breaks kit. I was concerned about scratching also and that was one of the reasons for the question.

Thanks for the advise.

 

[johnbaker15]

Installed my kit today, I decided to remove the trunk to do the install. After taking it off I turned it upsidedown on a soft platform to prevent scratches.

 

[K100Dennis]

Same here John, I just layed some soft cloths on my bench. Too difficult to work upside down foe me, I gave it a try for 10 minutes then (calmly) removed the trunk. Great kit, and I like the new feel of the latching.